Tyson Fury has declared 2026 will be the final year of his professional boxing career, insisting he has no intention of extending his time in the ring beyond the months ahead.
The former heavyweight world champion made the surprise announcement as he prepares to face Mariusz Wach in Thailand, with a long-awaited showdown against Anthony Joshua still expected later this year if both fighters win their respective comeback bouts.
Joshua is due to meet Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia this weekend, and victories for Britain’s two biggest heavyweight names would pave the way for one of the most anticipated domestic fights in boxing history.
But while attention remains fixed on a potential November blockbuster, Fury has admitted he is already looking beyond his fighting days.
Speaking to The Sun, the 37-year-old confirmed he expects to walk away from the sport once 2026 comes to an end.
“This is my final year,” Fury said.
“That’s why I want to be active. I don’t want to go on until I’m 65 years old.”
Asked whether supporters are now watching the closing chapter of his remarkable career, Fury left little room for interpretation.
Tyson Fury has declared 2026 will be the final year of his professional boxing career, insisting he has no intention of extending his time in the ring beyond the months ahead
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“This is the last year, yeah. Final year, 26,” he said.
The announcement marks the latest in a series of retirement declarations from the ‘Gypsy King’, who has previously stepped away from boxing before returning to the sport.
However, Fury appeared adamant this time that the finish line is approaching, regardless of how the remainder of his career unfolds.
One final meeting with Joshua could yet headline his farewell schedule.
Five things to know about Tyson Fury | GB NEWS/GETTY
The two British rivals have spent years attempting to secure a fight, only for negotiations and contractual complications to repeatedly prevent one of boxing’s biggest potential events from taking place.
Provided Fury overcomes Wach and Joshua defeats Prenga, the heavyweight rivals are widely expected to meet before the end of the year.
Such a contest would rank among the biggest all-British fights in modern boxing and could provide the perfect finale to Fury’s decorated career.
The Morecambe-born heavyweight has spent more than a decade at the top of the sport, ending Wladimir Klitschko’s long reign as world champion before producing an unforgettable trilogy against Deontay Wilder, winning two of the three contests.
Although consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk ended his reign at the summit of the heavyweight division, Fury insisted his motivation has shifted away from titles and financial rewards.
Instead, he says his priority is simply enjoying the sport while he still can.
“I just want to keep busy, keep active,” Fury explained.
“It’s not about money, it’s not about belts, it’s about nothing now.
Tyson Fury will fight Mariusz Wach tonight
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“It’s about enjoying my life and enjoying my career and doing what I love to do.
“That’s boxing training, so maybe I’ll do quite a lot this year.”
For now, Fury’s immediate focus remains Friday night’s meeting with Wach, knowing victory is likely to intensify anticipation around an Anthony Joshua showdown that has eluded British boxing fans for years.
If both heavyweights come through unscathed this weekend, negotiations are expected to accelerate over a fight that has been discussed for much of the past decade.